Nutrition Security: Government urges oil palm stakeholders to optimise yields, adopt tech to advance industry

*The Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment, in Nigeria, urges oil palm stakeholders to adopt modern technology and innovations to improve productivity, and collectively, work towards a vision that ‘ensures the continued success of our oil palm industry’ in the West African country

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

As part of practical measures to optimise yields, reduce waste, and boost growth in the industry in Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment (ITI) has urged oil palm stakeholders to adopt modern technology and innovations to achieve these objectives.

ConsumerConnect learnt Nuru Abba Rimi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry stated this Monday, March 12, 2024, at an interactive session with oil palm stakeholders in Benin City, Edo State capital.

Rimi urged the various industry stakeholders, including representatives of Bank of Industry (BoI) and Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) among others, to adopt best sustainable agricultural methods, invest in conservation efforts, and ensure that operations are in harmony with the delicate ecosystem around plantations.

Represented at the meeting by Gambo Garba Magaji, Chief Commercial Officer of the ITI Ministry, the Permanent Secretary also encouraged the stakeholders to recognise the challenges ahead, and collectively, work towards a vision that “ensures the continued success of our oil Palm Industry.”

The Commodities and Export Department of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, in collaboration with National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria (NPPAN) organised the forum scheduled for six states, as part of on-the-spot assessment of the Oil Palm Industry in Nigeria, report said.

The states are Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Imo, Edo and Ondo States.

“We must recognise the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing. By fostering partnership with research institutions, industry experts and international organisation, we can tap into a wealth of expertise and stay at the forefront of advancement in Oil Palm cultivation,” Rimi further stated.

In his remarks at the event, Alphonsus Iyang, National President, National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria, advised the government to establish “Oil Palm Cities” across producing states.

Also represented by Harrison Okpamen, Vice-President (South) of NPPAN, Iyang explained such Oil Palm Cities would cluster Small-Holder Farmers (SHFs).

He maintained that they would be using common facilities and “basic social amenities will be provided for them” in such facilities.

In regard to operations of his company in the industry, Reinout Impens, Chief Operations Officer (COO), Presco Plc, also took the opportunity of the forum to brief the audience on the operations of Presco Plc.

Within this year, he stated, Presco Plc has already produced 20,000t of Crude Palm Oil (CPO) from 85,000t of Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB).

According to him, Presco Plc is equally in the process of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for a new palm oil mill of 80tph to be commissioned next year as part of measures to further boost CPO output and process the increased production coming from its estates.

The company’s COO also disclosed that in line with Presco Plc’s corporate commitments, the proposed mill would leverage technical innovations to achieve minimal environmental footprint by integrating effluent treatment and renewable energy generation into the design.

Though Presco does not directly work with smallholders, the company does engage in strategic partnerships that impact the entire oil palm sector in Edo state and Nigeria at large, he noted.

The Chief Operations Officer of Presco Plc further said: “Through a nearly completed 20-year collaboration with international oil palm breeders and seed producers to field test the next generation of elite planting material is specifically adapted to the African environment and growing conditions.

“Through this partnership, they are equally exploring avenues to assist companies and smallholders to gain access to this material and have launched a pilot program with 200,000 pre-nursery seedlings available for sale right now.”

Steve Ideheenre, Edo State Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, canvassed support for Oil Palm stakeholders in the state.

Leonit Shaji, Industrial Coordinator, Okomu Oil Palm Plc, said the company was working in collaboration with the Edo State Government to develop 4,000 hectares of land for smallholder farmers.

Report also indicated for on-the-spot assessment, the delegation visited City Agro Nigeria Limited and Presco Plc.

While at Presco Plc, Obaretin Estate, the delegation was first taken to the nursery to see the 150,000 seedlings ready for planting this year as well as 170,000 pre-nursery seedlings already in preparation for the 2025 planting.

Presco Plc also briefed the delegation on the 200,000 pre-nursery seedlings available for sale in its Sakponba Estate and explained that the relatively high price of these seedlings reflects the amount of international research that has gone into the breeding and selection efforts as well as the high exchange rate and clearing and permit charges impacting the importation costs.

The tour ended at the Presco Quality Control and Assurance laboratory where all the different products and by-products were displayed and explained.

That is, from primary extraction products (crude palm oil, palm kernel oil and palm kernel cake) through valorised waste products (shells and fibre for boiler biomass, empty fruit bunches and solid sludge for field applications, Palm Oil Mill Effluent for biogas production), and ending at the refined products (RBDPO, PFAD, Stearin and Olein).